Roman

1 of 3

noun (1)

Ro·​man ˈrō-mən 

1

a

: a native or resident of Rome

b

: a citizen of ancient Rome or of the Roman Empire

2

often offensive : roman catholic

3

roman : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome

specifically : characteristic of the ancient Romans

Roman fortitude

2

a

: latin sense 1a

b

: of or relating to the Latin alphabet

3

roman : of or relating to a type style with upright characters compare italic

4

: of or relating to the see of Rome or the Roman Catholic Church

5

: having a semicircular intrados

Roman arch

6

: having a prominent slightly aquiline bridge

a Roman nose

roman

3 of 3

noun (2)

ro·​man rō-ˈmäⁿ 

: a metrical romance

Examples of Roman in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The type should be set in roman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Nonetheless Columbus became a celebratory symbol of Italian American and Roman Catholic heritage. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

The restaurant itself is spectacular, featuring a water fountain at its center and original Roman columns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

The Roman telescope launched August 30 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, kicking off a mission to widen our view of the Universe. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

This arrangement, Brughmans said, illustrates one of the ways in which ancient Roman passageways have survived, with contemporary, larger paved roads running roughly along the old path. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

The caged design was in direct response to the popularity of gladiator styles, while the studs were a signature touch meant to mimic Roman architecture. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

At night this is lit by strung lights and lanterns, perfect for an al fresco dip above the urban buzz, while inside lamps cast a soft glow, and thick Roman blinds and bedroom curtains block out all light. — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026

Here's why even more are ahead NASA's Roman telescope is in space. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

partly from Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Romanus, adjective & noun, from Roma Rome; partly from Middle English Romain, from Anglo-French, from Latin Romanus

Noun (2)

French, from Old French romans romance

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1765, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Roman

• Holy Roman Empire
• Roman blind
• Roman candle
• Roman Catholic
• Roman Catholicism
• Roman collar
• Roman holiday
• Roman law
• Roman nose
• Roman numeral
• Roman shade
• the Roman alphabet

Rhymes for Roman

• bowmen
• coman
• foeman
• foemen
• gnomon
• nomen
• omen
• showman
• showmen
• soman
• toman
• yeoman

Kids Definition

Roman

1 of 2 noun

Ro·​man ˈrō-mən 

1

a

: a person born or living in Rome

b

: a citizen of the Roman Empire

2

not capitalized : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to Rome or the Romans or the empire of which Rome was the original capital

2

a

: latin entry 1 sense 2

b

: of or relating to the Latin language

3

not capitalized : of or relating to a type style with upright characters (as in "these definitions")

4

: of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church